Inter-array, export and terminations
Cable evidence that stays with the section, long after the vessel has left the field.
Cables are installed by a marine spread that demobilises quickly, and tested by specialists in stages. Deskely holds the load-out, lay, burial, pull-in, termination and testing evidence against the section it belongs to, so acceptance is a query rather than an archive search.
- Unit of evidence
- Cable section
- Stages
- Load-out to termination
- Testing
- Continuity, IR, VLF, PD
- Gate
- Section energisation
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The problem
The cable is buried, the vessel is gone, and the evidence is in four systems.
A single array section passes through load-out, lay, burial, pull-in at each end, jointing or termination, and a testing campaign — often with a different party responsible for each stage.
The marine contractor reports in daily progress reports, the termination team in its own forms, and the testing specialist issues PDFs. Nothing is filed against the section itself.
When a fault appears in the first operating year, reconstructing what was proven and when becomes a forensic exercise. Deskely files every stage under the section, in order.
Setting up the register
Every section between two assets is its own tagged item.
The register mirrors the cable schedule: each section runs from one asset to the next, carries its type, length, KP references and both terminations as sub-items.
Cable schedules and route drawings are parsed into that register rather than retyped, so the as-designed reference is behind each section from day one.
As-laid positions, depth of lowering results and burial exceptions are recorded against the same section, which is where the operator will look for them years later.
Testing and acceptance
Continuity, IR and VLF results belong to the section, not to a PDF folder.
Pre-lay, post-lay and post-termination testing each produce results that matter for a different reason. Held separately, they are three unrelated documents; held under the section, they are a chain that shows nothing degraded between stages.
Deskely records each test as a signed record with values, instrument reference and the person who took it, so a comparison across stages is possible without opening anything.
Where a specialist issues its own report, that report attaches to the same section and can be required before energisation.
Energisation
A string energises when its cables can prove it, and not before.
Energising a string depends on every section in it: terminations complete, testing passed, earthing proven and no open Category A punch on the run.
Because sections are tagged and linked to the assets they connect, Deskely can show which single section is holding a string rather than reporting the string as generally incomplete.
After energisation, the same records become the baseline that any future fault, repair or cable replacement is measured against.
Burial depth and as-laid survey
A cable is accepted on where it actually lies, not on where the route drawing said it would.
Post-lay survey produces a depth-of-lowering profile along the whole route, and every stretch that fails to reach the target burial has to be explained, remediated with rock or mattress protection, or accepted with a deviation the owner and the insurer both sign.
Crossings with third-party cables and pipelines carry their own agreements and separation requirements, and free spans found on survey have to be dispositioned before the route is closed out.
Holding the as-laid survey, the burial performance, the crossings and the protection installed against the same cable sections as the electrical test records means route acceptance is one status — and the operator inherits a route it can re-survey against a known baseline.
The cable route dossier
A cable is proven twice — as installed, and again as terminated — and both records have to survive to takeover.
Burial depth, pull tension and termination each matter to a different party years apart. Deskely ties every cable record to the route section it belongs to, so a fault years later can be checked against the original installation and test evidence rather than a memory.
Cable pull-in and lay tension record
The cable was installed within the manufacturer's maximum pull tension and minimum bend radius along its route.
During cable lay and pull-in at each end, offshore substation and turbine.
As-laid burial depth and route survey
Target burial depth of protection was achieved along the route, or exceptions are logged against the assessment that accepted them.
Immediately after burial, before route sign-off.
Joint bay and offshore termination record
Factory or field joints and terminations were made to the jointing procedure and passed the associated cure and pressure checks.
At each joint bay and at both cable ends.
VLF and HV withstand test result
The cable insulation withstands the specified test voltage without breakdown before it is permitted to carry load.
After termination, prior to energisation.
TDR and sheath integrity baseline
A reference trace and sheath test are captured for the as-commissioned cable, forming the baseline for future fault location.
At final acceptance of the cable, before handover.
Cable route taking-over certificate with punch carried at takeover
All lay, burial, jointing and test records for the route are signed, with any residual protection or crossing punch listed against an owner.
At handover of the cable route from installer to owner.
How it runs
From cable schedule to an energised string.
Cable scopes are linear and stage-based. Structuring the register around sections rather than campaigns is what keeps the evidence usable after demobilisation.
- 01
Import the cable schedule
Each section created as a tagged item with type, length, route reference and both end terminations.
- 02
Record load-out and lay
Drum load-out, lay progress, as-laid position and any route deviation captured against the section.
- 03
Capture burial evidence
Depth of lowering results and burial exceptions filed under the section with survey references.
- 04
Sign pull-in and termination
Pull-in at each end, jointing or termination and earthing recorded per end with photos.
- 05
Log testing at every stage
Continuity, insulation resistance, VLF or partial discharge results held as signed records with values.
- 06
Gate string energisation
The string cannot be certified until every section in it has passed testing and cleared blocking punch.
FAQ
Questions about Array and export cables scopes.
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